15 days in Benin Itinerary

Benin's largest city and its seat of government, bustling Cotonou also has one of the largest ports in West Africa.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Cotonou: Lac Nokoue (in Ganvie), Porto-Novo (Great Mosque of Porto-Novo, Musee Honme (Palais Royal), &more) and Ouidah (La Porte Du Non Retour, Temple des Pythons, &more). The adventure continues: don't miss a visit to Fondation Zinsou, admire the striking features of Palais des Congres, pause for some photo ops at Place des Martyrs, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saint Michel church.

To find more things to do, photos, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Cotonou day trip planner.

Sydney, Australia to Cotonou is an approximately 31-hour flight. You'll gain 9 hours traveling from Sydney to Cotonou due to the time zone difference. Expect a bit warmer temperatures when traveling from Sydney in January; daily highs in Cotonou reach 37°C and lows reach 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Fri) to allow time to travel to Tanguieta.

Tanguiéta is a town, arrondissement and commune located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 5465 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 54,719 people. Spend the 14th (Sat) exploring nature at Pendjari National Park.

To see traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and more tourist information, go to the Tanguieta route maker website.

Traveling by combination of flight and bus from Cotonou to Tanguieta takes 8 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder evenings in Tanguieta when traveling from Cotonou in January, with lows around 18°C. You will leave for Abomey on the 16th (Mon).

Abomey is a city in the Zou Department of Benin. Step out of Abomey with an excursion to Grotte Notre-Dame d'Arigbo in Dassa Zoume--about 1h 30 min away. There's more to do: see the interesting displays at Palais des rois d'Abomey.

For maps, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, you can read our Abomey trip planner.

Getting from Tanguieta to Abomey by car takes about 7 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Tanguieta in January, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Abomey, with lows of 27°C. On the 19th (Thu), you're off to Grand Popo.

Grand-Popo is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Mono Department of south-western Benin. On the 20th (Fri), get engrossed in the history at Villa Karo.

To see ratings, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Grand Popo driving holiday planner.

You can drive from Abomey to Grand Popo in 2.5 hours. While traveling from Abomey, expect little chillier days and about the same nights in Grand Popo, ranging from highs of 37°C to lows of 28°C. On the 21st (Sat), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.